Middleweight Nick Blackwell has been placed in a medically induced coma after being diagnosed with a brain bleed which was sustained during his 10^th-round stoppage loss to Chris Eubank Jr. in London, England, on Saturday.

The referee, Victor Loughlin, halted the action on the advice of the ringside doctor when Blackwell was unable to see out of his left eye due to grotesque swelling. Eubank Jr. had landed scores of power shots throughout but Blackwell, who was defending his British middleweight title, bravely rallied back in each session.

Concern grew for the 25-year-old Englishman when he was taken from the ring on a stretcher shortly after oxygen was administered. He was then transported to a London hospital.

“It is our understanding that Nick has a bleed on the brain and is under observation by hospital staff,” said British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith, as reported by the BBC.

“We will just have to wait and see what the hospital says.”

Further updates on Blackwell’s condition to follow. THE RING wish to extend their thoughts and prayers to the fighter and his family.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing